The 2017 Fiat 500X AWD Makes for one of the Best Cars You Can Drive Today

Fiat’s cute 500X just got more robust. No, they didn’t put a V8 under the hood, or even a V6 for that matter. But it’s the next best thing: all-wheel drive. The 500X looked like a car able to do light off-roading, but its FWD layout never allowed it. Now, the newest 2017 model changes all that.

Following last year’s decision to narrow down trim levels from five to just three (Pop, Trekking, and Lounge), Fiat decided it was time for a more radical upgrade. The base Pop comes with a 1.4-liter four-banger with 160 hp, sending power to the front wheels only. Sadly, all-wheel drive isn’t offered on the Pop. That’s where the Trekking and Lounge come in. Packing a bigger 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 180 hp, they unlock the optional $1,900 all-wheel drive system.

2017 Fiat 500X AWD – a Pleasant Surprise from an Unlikely Candidate

Who would have thought that the simple addition of AWD could make the 500X a serious competitor? But it did, and the result is somewhat shocking. You don’t lose any of the 500’s unique characteristics. The design is still there. It’s practical, spacious and ergonomic, and should you want more luxury, there are plenty of optional extras.

Consider spending the extra two grand and adding the AWD system for extra safety and stability in the fiercest weather conditions. You won’t need it most of the time, but it’s more than handy in the rain and snow. It may not be the most sophisticated system out there, especially compared to the likes of Subaru and Audi, but for a small crossover, it’s brilliant.